Fear for future of post offices (From Penarth Times)

Fear for future of post offices

PENARTH Plaid Cymru are calling on residents to fight any possible closures of town post offices.

The warning comes after a recent government announcement highlighted changes that could alter the way the service is run.

Plaid leader Cllr Chris Franks told the Times: "The government policy change has, in effect, put in danger hundreds of post offices in larger towns.

This would especially hit Penarth and Barry."

He added that plans to divert business such as pensions and benefits away from post offices would affect urban as well as rural areas.

"A post office plays an important role for many people in a small community."

Windsor Road postmaster Richard Bingham said: "The way money will be given out is changing. People will have a choice of places to get their pensions.

There will be card system so people put a pin number in to get their entitlement.

But most major banks will also carry the technology for customers to get their money."

He added that this may take some business away from the post office, but it would give customers more choice.

But regular post office users are concerned.

Pam Diamond of St Luke's Avenue, Penarth said: "I use Stanwell Road post office most of the time because it is very convenient.

It is an important service, especially in my case because I take my mum, who is disabled, to the shop to get her pension.

I also have to take my disabled husband. If I had to use Windsor Road post office, it would be very difficult."

On Monday, the government announced a £450million fund to safeguard the future of thousands of post offices in rural areas.

Wales will get £16million a year of the national total of £150 million a year over three years.

And the Welsh Assembly has pledged £2.5million for urban post offices.